Jávea
It is too simplistic to say of Jávea that the World Health Organisation named it as one of the healthiest climes in the world and that there are more recorded hours of sunshine per year on this little point of land than in any other place in Spain. That is important for those who suffer the northern European climate but Jávea is much, much more than that.
Jávea has long been called Amanecer de Espana, Dawn of Spain, because it occupies a far point of land looking eastward over the Mediterranean Sea. The rising sun's path catches variously the three headlands. One day San Antonio, another day San Martin, or Cabo de Ia Nao sees the first golden rays. But always day dawns over that blue sea, enriching the life of the old Spanish fishing community.
Jávea is both a working port and a tourist haven, where people from all over northern Europe come both to live permanently, and also to spend a few weeks of each year, soaking up the unique atmosphere and culture that is Jávea.
With the Montgo mountain to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the east, Jávea is comprised of three distinctive areas; the Casca Urbano (urban centre), the Port and the Arenal.
There is a sense of contentment, which wells up and exists just under the surface here. This is partly because Jávea continues to be a working port and not just a tourist mecca; but also because it is a place where people from many parts of northern Europe come to live permanently, not just a few weeks a year.
There is much history here, with the influence of the Moors much in evidence, with the ancient San Bartolome Church containing the soul of the local villagers. The inner walls date from 1244 when King Jaime EI Conquistador defeated the Moors in this area. whilst the outside wall is pockmarked by gun shots of the Civil war seven centuries later.
Importantly, the Spanish have taken Jávea to their hearts, and now make up a large percentage of the influx to the town.
There are a number of areas of Jávea where people have chosen to live, whether it is an apartment or town house in the port or near the beach, or a villa in an urbanisation or the surrounding countryside.
Jávea is no longer a hidden paradise. Clubs, restaurants, the Parador, the Jávea Golf Course, Club Nautico do all they can to make us known; as does the annual Tourist Feria. The shooting range on La Plana, riding stables, tennis courts, cricket pitch, bowling clubs, undersea diving facilities - exist for the pleasure and profit of all. Many local clubs exist and walking in the area is a favourite past-time.
And standing guard over us all is of course our beloved Montgo, which needs a page on its own, We just include a photograph. We simply ask you to come and visit it and the rest of Jávea yourselves, you will find that we only just scratch the surface of this little jewel in this vibrant country that is Spain.
Then there are the wonderfully fresh fruit and vegetables, the wine of all qualities and prices, the incredible almond blossom in the early spring, the outside markets (Thursday's), the fields of orange trees, literally hundreds of restaurants (where to pay more than a £10 a head is a special occasion) and then of course always the clear, clear air.
Halfway between Alicante and Valencia airports, less than an hour from each via a modem Autopista (A 7) , but far enough away to never see an aeroplane. Centrally placed to reach the cities of Madrid or Barcelona, to travel down to the Costa del Sol or just travel 10 minutes inland into the hills that surround Jávea.
Of course there are the tourists, but unlike most of the resorts on the Costas of Spain, the vacationers here prefer to rent a villa with a private pool, or an apartment with a communal pool. There are very few hotels in Jávea, and those that are here do not cater for package holidays.
The Port has a very different feel to it from that of the Casca Urbano. It is a working port where the fishermen, returning from their day's work, sell off their catches each evening. Close to the harbour is the marina, where cruisers and yachts of all sizes are moored. On the pedestrian precinct, the Marina Espanola, numerous bars and restaurants serve tapas and local wines and beers.
The Arenal beach is a sandy beach, which is raked at the end of each day. On the esplanade, which adjoins the beach, a variety of bars and restaurants can be found, and, during the summer evenings, there are numerous stalls selling handicrafts and jewelry and also musicians and portrait artists.
